Mayor of London Sadiq Khan has announced today (March 28) that a new fast bus service will be introduced for some of the city’s outer boroughs.

The Superloop aims to cut journey times by using limited-stop express buses to connect some outer London locations.

It comes as some Londoners have criticised Mr Khan for plans to expand the Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) to the whole of the capital in August.

This will see £12.50 daily charges for vehicles that do not meet certain emission standards.

Harrow is among the London boroughs which said it would launch a legal challenge against the mayor’s plan.

But Mr Khan said he wanted to “make it easier for Londoners to get around the capital” using public transport.

The mayor will provide £6 million funding to improve the outer London bus network, as part of a commitment to introduce more than a million kilometres of bus routes.

How will ‘Superloop’ affect north Londoners?

Under the plans, residents in the boroughs of Harrow, Barnet and Enfield, are set to benefit from the faster bus network.

The proposals expand on pre-existing limited stop routes, including the 13-stop X140 between Heathrow and Harrow.

Two additional express routes are now expected in north London.

Times Series: A proposed map of 'Superloop' released by TfLA proposed map of 'Superloop' released by TfL (Image: TfL)

One will connect Harrow and North Finchley, potentially via Northwick Park and Hendon. The other will be between North Finchley and Walthamstow, with proposed stops in Arnos Grove and Edmonton.

Transport for London said that the first new limited stop route between Harrow and North Finchley will be subject to consultation in the coming months.

Announcement and reaction

Mr Khan said: “When I made the tough decision to expand the ULEZ Londonwide, one of my key commitments to Londoners was to improve transport links in outer London.

“Today I am delivering on that commitment as we announce the Superloop, the game-changing new network of express buses that will add over four million additional kilometres to our bus network in outer London, linking stations, town centres, hospitals and transport hubs.”

But City Hall Conservatives branded the proposals a “superflop”.

They said: “Londoners won't be fooled into thinking that this provides a meaningful alternative for the many in outer London who will still need to rely on their vehicles when Sadiq Khan’s unnecessary ULEZ tax comes into force.”